Recently, we reported about how playing chess makes us people with ‘better’ characters. One arguments in the report focused on the fact that chess players have advanced imagination. Perfect examples for this statement are the meaningful artists of the previous centuries. Today, we will introduce you to some of these artists who committed their lives not only to art but also found time and pleasure in regular gatherings around the chess board.
Composers
Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849)
Until today, Frederic Chopin is considered one of the most influential and popular pianists and composers of piano music. In his spare time he found enjoyment in playing billiard and chess, for which he even produced his own chess pieces.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
The composer paved the way for Romanticism and is ubiquitous even today, as his Ninth Symphony (Joy, fair spark of the Gods) became the European anthem. One of his close friends was the inventor Johann Nepomuk Mälzel who not only invented mechanical music instruments and the Metronome but also the very first chess robot (the so-called ‘Chess Turk’) that turned out to be a fake eventually.
Lyricists
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
The English dramatist, lyricist, and actor managed to make his comedies and tragedies the most performed and filmed stage plays of the world’s literature (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet). Many indicators lead to the conclusion that Shakespeare had a passion for chess, though this was never proven and therefore remains one of the many myths evolving around this icon.
Berthold Brecht (1898 – 1956)
With his plays being performed on stage all around the world (Life of Galileo Galilei, Mother Courage) Brecht became one of the most meaningful dramatists of the 20th century. All his life he enjoyed playing chess; from 1911 until 1913 he even gathered with school friends at his parents’ house every Wednesday afternoon to play chess.
Johann Friedrich Schiller (1759 – 1805)
The German poet, philosopher, and historian also liked playing chess. He gained popularity with his works Wilhelm Tell, Intrigue and Love, and Maria Stuart.
Authors
Ian Fleming (1908 – 1964)
The English author gained international recognition and appreciation through his novel and movie character James Bond. Fleming created thrilling scenes for his Agent 007 and was never able to resist a stimulating duel of checkmate.
Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)
This author is also of English origin and published works like Oliver Twist and A Christmas Tale. In his spare time, Dickens found pleasure in playing chess.
Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900)
This Irish writer (The Canterville Ghost) and eloquent philosopher once stated “Talent borrows, genius steals”. Might this also have been his motto whilst playing chess?!
Musicians
Madonna (born 1958)
The American singer (Like A Virgin, Vogue, Frozen, Music) is multi-talented. Being a song writer, actress, author, stage director, and designer she is as successful as being a singer. We wonder whether or not she plans her chess moves just as cleverly as her steps on the career ladder.
Bob Dylan (born 1941)
The rock musician is not only a talented singer, he also plays the guitar, the harmonica, organ, and piano. How the influential musician (Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door) managed to find time for regular duels of checkmate remains a mystery to us..
John Lennon (1940 – 1980)
The British musician, composer, author, and peace activist is popular all over the globe for being the co-founder, singer, and guitarist of the British bank The Beatles. He was also a huge chess fan, just like his second wife Yoko Ono, who, by the way, created the famous White Chess Set.
Ringo Starr (born 1940)
The British musician, composer, and actor was band colleague of John Lennon and drummer of the band The Beatles. Both were known to fight thrilling chess matches.
Frank Sinatra (1915 – 1998)
The singer and entertainer (Strangers in the Night, Moon River, My Way) was also fond of chess. In 1979 he even placed a 100,000 USD award on a single duel between World Champion Karpov and former Junior Champion Walter Browne.
Other Legends
Bill Gates (born 1955)
The company owner and programmer has been the richest man in the world with an estimated assets of 72.7 billion US Dollars. Although being known for his outstanding intelligence, Magnus Carlsen checkmated the founder of Microsoft in nine moves in January 2014.
Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926)
The American illusionist has his roots in the Austrian-Hungarian region and impresses the world’s public with his magical escape tricks until today. We don’t know whether this skill might have helped him develop creative solutions at the chessboard.
Joseph Pulitzer (1847 – 1911)
This journalist, editor, and publisher is founder of a major literature award which he also lent his name to – the Pulitzer Prize. In his leisure time he enjoyed playing chess and reading political memoirs.
Alfred Hitchcock (1899 – 1980)
Sir Alfred Hitchcock was a British film director and producer (Psycho, The Birds). His hobbies: Polo and chess!
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519)
The Italian multi-talented painter (Mona Lisa), sculptor, architect, mechanic, engineer, and nature philosopher wrote a book about checkmate in 1500 with the help of Pacioli that is still quoted in specialists’ literature – Ludo Scacchorum.
written by Sarah, translated by Birthe
This chess set was manufactured in 2005 by the order of the British Jewelry Company Boodles, and with its estimated value of 9.8 million US Dollars it is currently the most expensive chess set in the world. Next to gold and platinum are gemstones, such as diamonds, rubies, pearls, and sapphires materials used in this masterpiece. Only the King is decorated with 146 diamonds and 73 rubies. Unfortunately, nobody has expressed their interest in buying the unique set until now. Luckily, the company had only ordered for the king produced so far. The price was reduced to 1.7 million US Dollars and in case a buyer is finally found the rest of the set will be manufactured and delivered within 4 months’ time.
A luxurious set made of gold, rhodium, and gemstones. The manufacturer offers to individually design the ‘clothes’ of the pieces and to embellish them with gemstones. The golden feet upon which the board is standing is formed like real feet. On his website, the seller describes this set as an incredible gift for a special person. This is definitely the case, as its price amounts to 750,000 US Dollars.
Not only the materials, but also the handicraft of this 500,000 US Dollar chess set are remarkable. Bernard Maquin produced this breathtaking board in 2005. Thirty workers spent 4,500 hours of their precious time on this little piece of art that holds 1,186.75 grams white gold (14 carat) and black and white diamonds of almost 186.09 carat in more than 9,000 individual parts.
This chess set was designed by Piero Benzoni. The pieces are made from gold and silver and were fashioned in detail and represent the Turks and their enemies, the Karolinger, in the 9th century. With the help of the war horses, watch towers, and warriors equipped with shields and weapons you can easily recreate war scenes – if you are ready to spend 113,600 US Dollars first. This set can also be an eye-catching and decadent accessory in the salon of every rich person, even if they are incapable of playing checkmate.
The cheapest of the expensive chess sets: For 42,000 US Dollars a Formula 1 fan amongst us can become proud owner of this exceptional chess board. We admit: This idea is quite creative: All pieces were made from a Renault Formula 1 race car. Materials like stainless steel, aluminum, titan, and carbon fiber and the extraordinary and modern design make this this set so exclusive.
